Cloth bolt display rack



' E. P. BlXE R CLOTH BOLT DISPLAY RACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1- Filed May 20, 1946 INVENTOR. fl jm 2,45o,1 so

Sept. 28, 1948. E. P: BIXER I CLOTHYBOLT DISPLAY BACK 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1946 Patented Sept. 28, 1948 UNITED S TAT ES PAT ENT F F] CE CLOTH BOLT DISPLAY RACK Edmond P. Bixer, New York, N. Application May 20, 1946, Serial No. 670,979

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to racks and supports and more particularly to racks suitable for the display of cloth or similar web material in wound orbolt form.

Such materials have, in the past, been stacked upon shelves with their ends in view or stacked in a horizontal row with'their thinnest long edge exposed.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide structure of the class described wherein the cloth bolts are arranged in rows presenting a maximum of their area to the viewer or customer and yet by virtue of a tiered arrangement a large number of individual bolts may be stored and displayed in a minimum of space.

Another object herein lies in the provision of structure of the class described which .may be easily collapsed and reassembled so that the same may occupy a minimum of space when stored and may be .conveniently transported from manufacturer to user or between different locations where it is used.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a cloth bolt display rack which may be assembled and disassembled with a minimum amount of skill and tools.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a cloth bolt display rack wherein the cloth bolt support elements may be shifted .in position with respect to each other whereby full bolts may be put in place and removed without deleteriously afiecting neighboring bolts and whereby even the highest tier of bolts may be removed or replaced by a relatively short person. A feature of the adjustability of the position of the cloth bolt support elements enables the bolts to be conveniently engaged and disengaged, particularly with respect to the insertion of the cloth bolt engaging members into the open ends of the bolts.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a display rack of the present character wherein storage space is provided for bolts which'may replace those which have become consumed. The storage space moreover .may be provided for carrying additional shades or qualities of the material on display in the upper portion of the device.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a device of the class described wherein protection is obtained from some of the dust which might normally fall upon the bolts of cloth.

A feature of the invention lies in the provision of illumination means in conjunction with a canopy which provides .protection and serves as a reflector for the illumination means.

Another object herein lies in the provision 'of a rack of the character described having storage space with dividers for maintaining the bolts of cloth in predetermined position.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and'be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the .invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view as seen from theplane 2-2 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary oblique sectional view as seen from the plane 3--3 on Figure 1.

Figure '4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 4-4 on Figurel.

In accordance with the invention the rack I0 includes broadly, end elements H and I2, base members .9 and 13, a plurality of divider elements l4, l5 and 16, a plurality of cloth bolt support elements: ll-22 inclusive, an upper longitudinal brac'e and stop 23., a top longitudinal canopy support element 24., and a canopy 2.5.

The end elements 'I I' and [2 are substantially identical so that a description of one will suffice for 'bothcthe portions of the end element l2 being givenf'thessame reference characters as the end element Iii with the addition of a prefix 1. Thus, 'the-,element Ill includes a central-upright portion 126, downwardly diverging portions 21 and 28., substantially vertical portions 29 and 30, and legs "3| and 32. Joining the portions 29 and 30 are a pair of horizontally disposed end members 33 and '34. Extending between the end members 3.3 and '34 area plurality of end divider members 35-31 inclusive. The downwardly diverging portions 2] and 28 are preferably integral with the upright portion 26 and similarly the members 3 5--3'I are preferably integral with the members 33 and .34 which at their ends are preferably integral with the vertical portions 29 and 30. This integration may be accomplished in any suitable manner, as for example, by welding.

The'basemembers 3 and l3,as well as the brace 23 and the canopy support .24 are substantially identical, being preferably in the form of elongated hollow members having means in the ends thereof for their detachable engagement with the and elements H and I: as will more fully appear.

The divider elements it, ['5 and I6 each include upper and lower horizontal members 38 and 39, 40 and 4|, and 42 and 43, respectively. Furthermore, the divider elements l4, I5 and I6 each include a plurality of divider members 45, 46 and 41 respectively. The divider members preferably integrate the upper and lower horizontal members 38 and are connected thereto in any suitable manner as for example by welding. The ends of the upper and lower horizontal members 38-43 are provided with detachable attachin means similar to that shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The cloth bolt support elements [1-22 inclusive include longitudinal support members 4853, and cloth bolt engaging members E l-59 respectively. Each of the ends of the longitudinal memhers 48-53 is provided with detachable engaging means such as that shown in Figures 3 and 4. The cloth bolt engaging members 5459 are preferably of sufiicient length so that they may penetrate the cloth bolts a distance sufficient to avoid accidental removal or dropping of said bolts from said engaging members. The width of the members 54--59, that is to say longitudinally of the members 48-53 is likewise such as will obtain adequate frictional engagement between the bolt engaging member and the wallsof the opening in the core of the bolt of web material.

The canopy includes a top wall 66, end walls 6| and 62 and longitudinal walls 53 and 64. The inner surfaces of the canopy are preferably treated with a highly reflective substance such as metallic plating or white' paint (not shown) so as to cause the rays of light emitted from the light sources 65 and 56 to be downwardly directed upon the bolts 9499.

Each of the longitudinal support members 48- 53 is axially rotatable to a limited amount as for example through substantially ninety degrees.-

This is accomplished by structure illustrated in detail in Figures 3 and 4, it being understood that each of the ends of the members 4853 is similarly constructed. As shown in Figure 3'the end of the longitudinal support member 50 is provided internally with a nut 6'! which is in turn provided with a locknut B8. The nut 61 is maintained within the end of the member 50 in anysuitable manner as for example by welding and the lock-v nut 68 may be similarly connected. The. portion I28 is provided with a pair of aligned orifices I69 and l'lll which are penetrated by a long screw I'll which threadedly engages the nut 61 and the locknut 68. The rim 12 or end edge of the support member 59 is indented to form the detents l3 and 14 which are adapted to ooact with the projection 5. The projection 15 may be a pin or a screw (as shown) threadedly engaging the diverging portion I128. The tension obtained by tightening of the screw I'll shown and the screw at the opposite end of the member is adjusted so that the member 50 maybe rotated accompanied by some friction. In theuppermost position of the engaging members 54-59 they take the positions indicated by the full lines in Figures 1 and 2 or the dashsing1e-dot lines in Figure 4. In the lowered position thereof they take the position indicated by the dash-d ouble-dot lines on Figure 2 and Figure 4.

The assembly of the entire device is a convenient matter. The end elements H and [2 are connected by means of screws Hi-I76, IL-I11, and IS-I18. The canopy is secured by means of the end walls 64 and 52 and the ears 19 and I79 which are penetrated by the screws 80-4 80 and 8l--l8l. Next, the divider elements l4, l5 and HS are put in place being maintained by the screws 82 and I82. The longitudinal support members 48-53 are maintained in place by the screws II and Ill in a manner as heretofore described.

The end elements II and I2 may be provided with wall closures 83, only one of which is shown (in Figure 2). Extending between the base members 9 and I3 a floor 84 may be provided to prevent dust and dirt from the surface upon which the device Ill is resting from reaching the bolts which are stored below the upper horizontal members 38, 49 and 42.

In use any one of the elements |'l--22 may be partially rotated so as to place the engaging members thereon in a convenient position whereupon a bolt of cloth such as the bolts 94-99 inclusive may be placed thereupon or removed. The use of the bolt as a handle or one of the engaging members permits the support elements ll-22 to be returned to their upper positions where they lie generally below the canopy to receive protection and illumination therefrom. From a perusal of Figure 2 it will be seen that the upper tiers of bolts 98 and 99 rest against the longitudinal brace 23. The lower tiers 96 and 9"! rest upon the tiers 98 and 99, and the lowermost tiers 94 and 95 rest upon the tiers 96 and 91. This arrangement and coaction of the parts of the device and the bolts with which it is used take some of the strain off the stops 15 so that these may coact. This permits the detent structure generally to be of lighter character.

It may thus be seen that I have provided a novel and useful bolt rack display construction which may support and display a large number of bolts in a rapid and convenientmanner, may maintain an additional storage supply of bolts, and which may be easily assembled and disassembled.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

. 1. A cloth bolt display rack comprising: first and second end elements; means connecting said end elements and maintaining the same in spaced position; a cloth bolt support element connected to and extending between said end elements, said cloth bolt support element including a longitudinally arranged support member and a plurality of bolt engaging members extending at an angle with respect thereto; said support member being rotatable about its own longitudinal axis.

2. A cloth bolt display rack comprising: first and second end elements; means connecting said end elements and maintaining the same in spaced position; a cloth bolt support element connected to and extending between said end elements, said cloth bolt support element including a longitudinally arranged support member and a plurality of bolt engaging members extending at an angle with respect thereto; said support member bein rotatable about its own longitudinal axis; and means to limit the rotation of the longitudinally arranged support member.

3. A cloth bolt display rack comprising: first and second end elements; and a cloth bolt support element connected to and extending between said end elements, said cloth support element including a substantially horizontally arranged support member and a plurality of bolt engaging members thereon, said support member being rotatable about its own longitudinal axis.

4. A cloth bolt display rack comprising: first and second end elements; and a cloth bolt support element connected to and extending between said end elements, said cloth support element including a substantially horizontally arranged support member and a plurality of bolt engaging members thereon, said support member being rotatable about its own longitudinal axis; and means to limit the rotation of the horizontally arranged support member.

EDMOND P. BIKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 805,073 Kellogg Nov. 21, 1905 1,033,630 Sowers July23, 1912 1,712,571 Levin May 14, 1929 1,747,026 Phillips Feb. 11, 1930 1,983,167 Chisholm Dec. 4, 1934 2,148,402 Eyres Feb. 21, 1939 2,260,294 Brown Oct. 28, 1941 

